Cartridge

ABSTRACT

A cartridge adapted to contain a standard reel of processed motion picture film or other strip material has two cartridge parts, each of which includes a circular sidewall and a semicircular edge-wall extending perpendicularly from and about a peripheral portion of the sidewall. The parts fit together in mating relationship with the sidewall of one part being received in a groove defined by the edge-wall of the other part, to form the chamber for the reel of film or other strip material.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,190,577 6/1965 Allen etal. 3,346,210 10/1967 Carstensen et a1. 3,454,961 7/1969Tatter...........................

Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz Attorneys-Robert W. Hampton and James A.Smith United States Patent [72] lnventor JohnJ.Bunclschuh Penfield, N.Y.

[21] Appl.N0 731,561

[22] Filed May23,l968

[45] Patented Jar-12,1971

[73] Assignee Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, N.Y. a corporation of NewJersey parts fit p with the sidewall of one part efined by the edge-wallof the to form the chamber for the reel of film or other strip material.

pted to contain a standard reel of d motion picture film or other stripmaterial has two cartridge parts, each of which includes a circularsidewall and wall extending perpendicularly from and portion of thesidewall. The

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ATTORNEYS CARTRIDGE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Referenceis made to commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No.685,588, entitled CARTRIDGE, filed Nov. 24, 1967 in the name of John J.Bundschuh, now abandoned; Ser. No.73l,562, entitled CARTRIDGE AND MEANSFOR LOCATING A CARTRIDGE ON A PROJEC- TOR OR THE LIKE, filed May 23,I968 in the name of John J. Bundschuh; Ser. No. 685,6l6, entitledCINEMATO GRAPHIC PROJECTORS OR THE LIKE, filed Nov. 24, I967 in the nameof John J. Bundschuh et al.; and Ser. No. 692,815, entitled CARTRIDGEAND REEL SUPPORT MEANS FOR CARTRIDGE-LOADING MOTION PICTURE PROJECT ORS,filed Dec. 22, 1967 in the name of Robert J. Roman, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a cartridgeadapted to receive a roll of strip material, and, more particularly, toa two-piece cartridge adapted to removably contain a roll of processedmotion picture film or the like.

Two-piece cartridges are known which are adapted to contain a standardreel of processed motion picture film and to be latched to acartridge-loading motion picture projector. A cartridge of this type isdisclosed, for example, in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat.Application Ser. No. 685,588, entitled CARTRIDGE, filed Nov. 24, 1967,in the name of John J. Bundschuh, now abandoned. However, previouscartridges of this type have been designed to contain relatively smallreels of film, particularly reels for 50 or I feet of film and, whilesatisfactory in these smaller sizes, they lack the structural rigiditydesirable in larger size cartridges, such as cartridges for 200-400 feetof film. Absent such structural rigidity, the spindle and film-exitopenings of previously known cartridges in the larger sizes cannot beaccurately located on the projector. Moreover, flexing or distortion inlarger cartridges of previously known types often renders their hingeand/or latching members ineffective and thereby permits the largercartridges to open whenever subjected to accident, abuse or mishandling.The effects of this lack of structural rigidity may be furtheraggravated when the larger cartridges are provided with universalaligning means, such as a single-rib aligning means of the typedisclosed in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No.731,562, entitled CARTRIDGE AND MEANS FOR LOCATING A CARTRIDGE ON APROJECTOR OR THE LIKE, filed May 23, 1968, in the name of John J.Bundschuh. With such aligning means, the cartridge must be sufficientlyrigid to assure that openings in the cartridge for the projector spindleand film exit are accurately located with respect to the cartridgealigning rib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a cartridge construction which will be structurally rigidwhether manufactured in smaller sizes (e.g., for film rolls containing50l00 feet of film) or larger sizes (e.g., for film rolls containing200- 400 feet of film).

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the cartridgecomprises first and second separable cartridge parts, each of whichincludes a circular sidewall, and an edge-wall in the form of asemicircular band extending perpendicularly from and about the peripheryof the sidewall. The edge-wall of each part defines a recess into whichthe sidewall of the other part extends when the cartridge is in theclosed position In a preferred embodiment, the edge-walls of each partdefine means at one end of each edge-wall for pivotally connecting theparts and at the other end of each edge-wall for latchablyconnecting theparts so the cartridge parts can and latched in the closed position.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of an illustrative preferred embodiment of the invention.

be pivoted to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of a structure representing part of a cartridge-loading motionpicture projector or the like and a cartridge therefor in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating means forretaining and orienting the cartridge on the projector.

FIG. 2 is a plan view depicting the cartridge of FIG. 1 with one partremoved, showing the other part with a standard reel of motion picturefilm contained therein.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 takenalong line 3-3 of FIG. I, illustrating openings in the bottom of thecartridge adapted to receive means for engaging and removing film fromthe cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the sidewall ofone cartridge part fits within a groove in the edge-wall of the othercartridge part when the cartridge is closed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view depicting a cartridge in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, showing the two cartridge parts andthe manner in which they enclose a standard reel of motion picture film.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,and particularly to FIG. I, a structure 10 is disclosed representingpart of a cartridge-loading motion picture projector or the like.Portions of the projector not illustrated on FIG. I may be of anysuitable construction, such as the projector described and illustratedin commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 685,616,entitled CINEMATOGRAPHIC PROJECTORS OR THE LIKE, filed Nov. 24, 1967, inthe name of John J. Bundschuh et al. The structure illustrated in FIG.'lcomprises means for receiving, aligning and latching cartridges ofvarious sizes and shapes to a motion picture projector, and is describedmore fully in commonly assigned copending U.S. application Ser. No. 73 l,562, entitled CARTRIDGE AND MEANS FOR LOCATING A CARTRIDGE ON A PROJEC-TOR OR THE LIKE, filed May 23, 1968, ,in the name of John J. Bundschuh.Generally, however, the projector structure shown comprises a verticalwall 12, defining a front surface of the projector, and a horizontalwall 14, extending from the upper portion of the vertical wall, anddefining a top surface of the projector.

A rotatable spindle 16, is adapted to be extended and retracted throughan elongate oblong opening 18 in wall '12, by an operating lever 20which projects through a slot 22 in wall 14. The spindle may be extendedthrough the opening for engaging and supporting a standard reel ofmotion picture'film in a cartridge positioned against wall 12, or thespindle may be retracted as shown in FIG. 1 to permit slot loading ofthe'cartridge by movement of the cartridge in a direction perpendicularto the axis of spindle I6. The mechanism for mounting-the spindle foraxial movement may be of any suitable construction, including theconstruction described in commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat.application Ser. No. 685,588,entitled CARTRIDGE, filed Nov. 24, 1967, inthe name of John-.I. Bundschuh, now abandoned.

Spindle 16 is also preferably mounted for movement along an arcuate pathsuch that the spindle can be located either adjacent the upper end ofthe opening 18 as shown in FIG. 1 or adjacent the lower end portionthereof. This arcuate movement permits the use of a single spindle forsupporting reels of film in cartridges having their axes located atvarious elevations with respect to the wall 12. The mechanism formounting the spindle for arcuate movement may be of any suitableconstruction including the construction described in commonly assignedcopending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 692,815, entitled CARTRIDGE ANDREEL SUPPORT MEANS FOR CARTRIDGE-LOADING MOTION PICTURE PROJEC- TORS,filed Dec. 22, 1967, in the name of Robert J. Roman.

At the lower portion of wall 12 there is a chamber 30 formed by plates32, 34 and 35, end members 36 and 38, and a cover or closure member 40.The bottom of the chamber 30 is defined by a wall 46 having an opening48 therein. Opening 48 also extends through the side members 36 and 38to permit passage of film-stripping means through the slot as describedmore fully in previously-mentioned application Ser. No. 685,616.

The side edges of plate 35 are spaced from the adjacent side edges ofplates 32 and 34 to form two parallel grooves or recesses 50 and 52.These grooves or recesses are open at the top as illustrated in thedrawings so that the cartridge can be moved downwardly along wall 12during mounting of the cartridge on the projector.

A positioning and latch member 60 is movable lengthwise in a slot oropening 62 formed in plate 32. The location of slot 62 is such that themember 60 is slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to therecess orgroove 50 and is positioned adjacent the upper end of thisgroove or recess. Member 60 has a tapered end portion 63 which isadapted to project from the slot 62 and into a position over the grooveor recess 50 to block upward movement of the cartridge but to permitdownward movement of the cartridge along wall 12- and groove or recesses50 and 52. As explained more fully hereinafter, the member 60 is alsoadapted to establish the vertical position of a cartridge with respectto the wall 12 of the projector. Member 60 is connected to a lever 64 bya pivot pin 66 and lever 64 is pivoted at 68 so that the lever andmember 60 can be moved by finger pressure to a retracted position torelease the cartridge from the projector. The lever and member 60 arebiased toward the position, shown by a spring 69.

The projector is preferably provided with suitable means for biasing acartridge upwardly from wall 46 toward the member 60 to establish andmaintain the cartridge in the desired vertical position with respect tospindle 16. As illustrated in the drawings, this may be effected bymeans of a leaf spring 74 which projects out of and extends above arecess 76 formed in bottom wall 46. During movement of a cartridge intothe chamber 30 the spring may be deflected downwardly until it issubstantially fully contained within the recess 76. However, when thecartridge. is released the spring 74 acts to bias the cartridge upwardlyfor proper alignment of the member 60 with a portion of the cartridge ina manner explained more fully hereinafter.

A pair of spacedlatching and locating members are indicated at 78 and80. These members include upwardly projecting portions-which are spacedfrom the outer surface of plates 32 and 34 by a distance sufficient topermit them to enter an opening in the lower part of the cartridge asdescribed more fully hereinafter. These members function to hold thelower portion of the cartridge in proper location with respect to thewall 12 of the projector and to prevent movement of the lower portion ofthe cartridgeaway from the wall.

A cartridge adapted to receive a reel containing approximately 400 feetof film is generally designated 90 in FIG. 1. The cartridge illustratedis generally of the type described in the before-mentioned copendingPat. Application Ser. No. 685,588, and comprises a face generallydesignated 92 which is adapted to abut or be in close-fitting relationwith the wall 12 and plates 32, 34 and 35 of the projector when thecartridge is properly mounted on the projector. As is apparent from FIG.1, the lower and side portions of the cartridge are shaped anddimensioned so that these portions of the cartridge can be receivedwithin and fit snugly within the chamber 30 on the projector. Morespecifically, the cartridge has a lower edge 94 which is adapted to fitalong the bottom wall 46 forming the chamber 30. The cartridge is openat the bottom so that the latching and positioning members 78 and 80 canfit about the bottom edge 94 of the cartridge to prevent outwardmovement of the bottom of the cartridge with respect to wall 12. Also,the cartridge has slots through the lower side and bottom portionsthereof. indicated at 96, so that the filinstripping mechanismpreviously mentioned can enter the cartridge.

A pair of spaced elongate ribs 100 and 102 extend along face 92 of thecartridge from the lower end thereof upwardly to approximately midwayalong the cartridge. These ribs are substantially parallel to each otherand are positioned such that they may be received within the grooves orrecesses 50 and 52, respectively, formed in the wall 12 of theprojector. Rib 100 comprises a lower portion 100a and an upper portion100b separated by a gap 104 which gap islocated along rib 100 so thatwhen the rib is positioned within recess 50 the end portion 63 of member60 can be received in the gap. Since leaf spring 74 biases the cartridgeupwardly and thereby biases the upper end of rib portion 100a intocontact with the lower edge of member 60, member 60 and rib portion 100adetermine the vertical position of the cartridge with respect to surface12. The projector spindle 16 is adapted to extend through an opening 106in the cartridge, and into the central core or hub portion 108 of a reelcarried within the cartridge, to rotatably support the reel within thecartridge.

In order to assemble or mount the cartridge on structure 10, lever 22 ismoved to the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to retract spindle 16, andlever 64 is moved to the right to retract member 60. The cartridge 90 isthen positioned above chamber 30 with face 92 of the cartridge againstor in close proximity to the wall 12 of the projector, and is moveddownwardly until the lower portions of the cartridge are received withinthe chamber 30. As this movement occursthe ribs and 102 enter and movealong the grooves -50 and 52, respectively, until the cartridge isbottomed in the recess, whereupon the end lever 64 is released andspring 69 moves end portion 63 of member 60 into the gap 104 between thetwo separate portions of rib 100. Spring 74 contacts the lower edge 94of the cartridge and biases the cartridge upwardly, against member 60 toaccurately position the cartridge against said member. Movement of thecartridge into chamber 30 also trips a lever 109 in the manner describedin the before-mentioned US. Pat. Application Ser. No. 685,588 to releasespindle 16 from its retracted position, whereupon the spindleautomatically enters hub 108 of the reel.

The cartridge may be removed from the projector by moving lever 20 tothe position illustrated in FIG. 1 to thereby retract spindle 16, bymoving lever 64 to the right (as viewed in FIG. 1) to retract member 60,and then by lifting the cartridge to withdraw it from chamber 30.

Referring now in more detail to features of the present invention, andin particular to FIGS. 2-5, cartridge 90 comprises first and secondcartridge members in the form of pieces or parts 201 and 203,respectively. Parts 20] and 203 are structurally similar except thelower portion 204 of the second part 203 includes previously mentionedmeans adapted to receive and guide a stripper for engaging and removingfilm from the cartridge. Further, the cartridge parts differ in theirrespective means 205, 207, 209 and 211 for pivoting or latching thecartridge parts together. However, since these features are disclosedand claimed in the forementioned prior applications, they will not bedescribed here.

Since further features of the cartridge to be described hereinafter aresimilar for both parts, similar reference characters will be applied toeach ofthe parts, with the letter a on the drawings denoting the firstpart and the letter b on the drawings denoting the second part.Moreover, both parts will be described concurrently by reference togeneral reference characters only, absent the letter a or b denoting aspecific part on the drawings.

Each cartridge part includes a sidewall in the form of a circular plateor disc 213 and an edge-wall disclosed as a semiannular band orcylindrical member 215 which extends perpendicularly from one side ofthe sidewall along the periphery or outer circumference thereof. In theembodiment disclosed, each part is formed by molding a sidewall and anedge-wall as a single integral part. However, it should be apparent tothose skilled in the art'that other methods of forming and adjoining theside and edge-walls can be employed without departing from the presentinvention.

Referring now to the sidewall, disc 213 comprises an opening 106concentric with the outer circumference of the disc which is adapted toloosely receive spindle 16 of the projector as previously described. Theouter circumference of disc 213 includes two portions 217 and 219, eachof which is diametrically opposed to the ther and each: of whichsubtends an angle of approximately 180. Portion 217 has edge-wall 215integrally secured thereto. Portion 219, on the other hand, defines anexposed edge having a stepped configuration including arcuate surfacesin the form of shoulders 221 and 223. Shoulder 221 has a diametersubstantially equal to the internal diameter of band 215, whileshoulder. 223 has a greater diameter and is of a lesser thickness thanwall 213, thus defining the stepped configuration with shoulder 221. Aswill be described more fully hereinafter in connection with band 215,these shoulders of one cartridge part are adapted to engage and matewith corresponding lips on the band of the other cartridge part.

Referring now to the edge-wall, band 215 comprises a semiannular groove225 defined by lips 227 and 229 which extend radially inwardly from band215 along the side thereof opposite from sidewall 213. The diameter tothe bottom of groove 225 is slightly greater than the diameter ofshoulder 223,-while the diameter to the top of lip 227 is slightlygreater than the diameter of shoulder 221, such that the shoulders 221and 223 will mate with lip 227 and the bottom of groove 225 respectivelyto form a seal when the cartridge is in the closed position.

Between disc 213 of one cartridge part and groove 225 of the same partthere is an annular rib 231 adapted to fit between the flanges 233 of areel to be contained in the cartridge. Rib 231 prevents clockspringingof film from reel 233 and also prevents improper insertion of the reelinto the cartridge, as is described and illustrated more fully inpreviously mentioned U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 685,588.

Referring now to the manner in which the cartridge can be assembled toenclose a standard reel of motion picture film, latching or pivotingmeans 207 and 211 can be mutually engaged to form a hinge about whichthe cartridge parts can be swung into the closed position. As thecartridge is closed, surface 223 of each sidewall enters groove 225 ofthe opposite edge-wall to properly guide the cartridge parts to theirclosed position. As the parts reach the closed position latch means 205and 209 are engaged to maintain the cartridge in said closed position.Moreover, surfaces 221 and 223 of each part abut against the top of lip227 and the bottom of groove 225, respectively, of the opposite part toform a seal between the parts.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof. but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described hereinabove and as defined in theappended'claims.

I claim:

1. A cartridge mountable on a motion picture projector or the likehaving a spindle adapted to project into the cartridge. the cartridgebeing adapted to receive a roll of motion picture film or the like, thecartridge comprising: two separable cartridge parts each of which has asidewall and an edge-wall, the edge-wall of each part beirig attached toand projecting from a first peripheral portion of the sidewall of thatpart in adirection generally toward the sidewall of the other cartridgepart, each edge-wall having an elongate groove therein facing toward theother edge-wall, said grooves being separated from the edge portion ofthe respective edge-wall opposite from the respective sidewall by a thinlip, and a second peripheral portion of each sidewall comprising twoshoulders jointly defining a stepped configuration with one of shouldersof each part fitting into the groove in the edge-wall of the other partand with the other shoulder of one part substantially abutting the lipon the edge-wall of the other cartridge part, thereby to form a sealbetween each sidewall and the edge-wall of the other cartridge part, andat least one sidewall having an openmg therethroug through which aPIOJCCIOI spindle can project for supporting a film roll within thecartridge.

2. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1 further comprising latch means onthe edge-wall of each'cartridge part, said latch means of one cartridgepart cooperating with said latch means on the other cartridge part forsecuring said parts together.

3. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least onelocating rib on one of said sidewalls for positioning thecartridge on amotion picture projector.

1. A cartridge mountable on a motion picture projector or the like having a spindle adapted to project into the cartridge, the cartridge being adapted to receive a roll of motion picture film or the like, the cartridge comprising: two separable cartridge parts each of which has a sidewall and an edge-wall, the edgewall of each part being attached to and projecting from a first peripheral portion of the sidewall of that part in a direction generally toward the sidewall of the other cartridge part, each edge-wall having an elongate groove therein facing toward the other edge-wall, said grooves being separated from the edge portion of the respective edge-wall opposite from the respective sidewall by a thin lip, and a second peripheral portion of each sidewall comprising two shoulders jointly defining a stepped configuration with one of shoulders of each part fitting into the groove in the edge-wall of the other part and with the other shoulder of one part substantially abutting the lip on the edgewall of the other cartridge part, thereby to form a seal between each sidewall and the edge-wall of the other cartridge part, and at least one sidewall having an opening therethrough through which a projector spindle can project for supporting a film roll within the cartridge.
 2. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1 further comprising latch means on the edge-wall of each cartridge part, said latch means of one cartridge part cooperating with said latch means on the other cartridge part for securing said parts together.
 3. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one locating rib on one of said sidewalls for positioning the cartridge on a motion picture projector. 